Egypt has demonstrated significant progress in reducing infant mortality rates, becoming a leader in the developing world for its efforts to save children's lives. In 2020, the rate of child mortality in Egypt was about five times lower than the rate in 1990, a crucial improvement that displays the effectiveness of programs addressing the issue.
Since 1994, the government and partnering NGOs have made significant efforts to reduce child mortality in Egypt. As a result, the country has surpassed its objectives for Millenium Development Goal 4.
Source: Wikipedia
Key Strategies and Initiatives
Egypt’s success has been based on implementing such basic measures as vaccination drives and promoting oral rehydration therapies, which Save the Children CEO Charles MacCormack believes can save millions of lives lost every year in the developing world.
Egyptian government health policies have focused, since 1990, on ensuring that children receive their basic immunizations during their first five years of life. The Ministry of Health and Population reports that 97% of infants today are vaccinated against tuberculosis, pertussis, polio, measles, diphtheria and tetanus. Polio, once considered endemic in Egypt, is now largely absent.
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And campaigns against diarrhea-related diseases have been very effective, using television to reach the most remote rural areas with simple advice on combating diarrhea and dehydration.
“This national campaign targeting specific causes of infant mortality was highly effective and was globally recognized,” says Magdi El Sanadi, UNICEF Egypt’s Health and Nutrition Project Officer.
International organizations such as UNICEF and USAID, as well as other foreign and local nonprofit organizations, have been working closely with health officials to assist in implementing the National Child Survival Program, which focuses on eradicating diarrhea-related diseases, promoting immunization and combating respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
And improvements in health services aimed at mothers also ensure that many more children grow up with their mothers on hand.
“Our target now is to continue with bringing down the mortality rate to reach the Millennium Development target of a 75% decline by 2015,” says Esmat Mansour, head of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health and Population MOHP.
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To achieve that, Mansour says, the focus now is on preventing infant death during the first 28 days of life due to low birth weight, premature birth and inadequate infant care.
Local health activists are pleased by the findings of Save the Children Report, although they acknowledge that there is still work to be done, especially in the south of the country.
“Child mortality rate remains high in rural Upper Egypt,” says UNICEF’s El Sanadi.
Egypt’s goal now is to move from the list of developing countries and measure itself with the South European nations along the opposite shore of the Mediterranean.
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Reasons for Decreased Child Mortality in Egypt
There are several reasons for Egypt’s considerable success in improving children’s health:
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Public Health Programs
Arguably one of the most significant projects in the fight against child mortality in Egypt is the government’s immunization campaign. With the introduction of the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI), infants received greater protection against diseases such as polio, tuberculosis and tetanus. More than 90% of children aged 18-29 months were fully immunized in 2014.
Additionally, the government established initiatives centering on mothers’ health. The Healthy Mother/Healthy Child Programme from 1993 to 2009 was significant in reducing socioeconomic and regional disparities in child and maternal health facilities and services. The program played a part in the increase of medically assisted deliveries from 38% in 1988 to 80% in 2008.
Government Partnerships with NGOs
The resources and support provided by NGOs boosted the success of government programs. The Ministry of Health and Population worked closely with UNICEF as part of the Young Child Survival and Development program to launch initiatives to improve maternal and child mortality by ensuring services in disadvantaged areas to promote health, nutrition and hygiene awareness.
The World Bank also financed the Health Quality Improvement Programme, which focused on improving the quality of care in Egypt’s medical facilities located in the most impoverished areas.
Improvements in Health Sector Infrastructure and Access
As of 2014, there were 5,000 public primary care facilities and 1,100 public hospitals across Egypt. This, in addition to well-developed roads, means most rural and urban citizens reside within five kilometers of a healthcare center. All these factors mean healthcare is widely accessible.
Source: USAID
Furthermore, the number of trained medical professionals has increased. Between 1990 and 2012 the number of doctors per 1,000 individuals increased by a factor of 8, according to the World Health Organization. Although regional discrepancies still exist, the Egyptian government continues to establish legislation and programs to improve health.
Health Information Monitoring and Sharing
The collection of data on child mortality rates and general health has allowed the government to monitor progress and implement more informed healthcare strategies. Data has informed previous child and maternal health programs and has contributed greatly to the successes of initiatives.
The government has prioritized broadcasting messages through the media to educate people on steps to take to improve maternal and child health.
Government Actions and Priorities
The government’s commitment to women’s and children’s health has contributed to the decrease in child mortality in Egypt. During the years 1989-1999 and 2000-2010, the health of mothers and children became a principal concern for the Egyptian government.
Furthermore, the 1988 creation of the parastatal National Council for Children and Mothers prioritizes the needs of mothers and children and ensures that legislation prioritizes children and women too.
A Better Future
Though socioeconomic inequalities remain, Egypt has made many improvements in children’s health. Through cooperation with NGOs, government health programs and a revitalization of the health sector, child mortality in Egypt has decreased exponentially.
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